The current coach of Russia, Guus Hiddink, has been sounded out by Chelsea who want him to take over until the end of the current season.
Following the shock dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has approached Hiddink with a view to the Dutchman taking charge from this weekend when Chelsea meet Watford in the FA Cup.
The Football Union of Russia has given their blessing to the move and Hiddink said:
If it was any other club my answer would be a straight ‘no’.
But Chelsea is different because I have good relations with the owner. I would like to help them if I could.
This would only be for the next two or three months until the end of the season.
I will not leave my job with the Russian national team. It’s out of the question. When I took the Russia job it was a long-term project and I don’t like to leave it unfinished.
A statement on the Chelsea web site read:
We have officially approached the FUR for permission to speak to Guus Hiddink to become the club’s temporary coach until the end of the season while continuing to be in charge of the Russian national team.
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If it was any other club my answer would be a straight ‘no’.

February 10th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Well I think this is a great move for Chealse. Unfortunate for Scolari but hand in hand his performance has been a bit lacking of late. Hopefull another team will offer him a chance to prove his coaching skills. Chealse better end up on top 3 of the epl at the end of this season..
February 11th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Gus is a great coach, not a bad pick by Mr Abramovich. They are both Russians, I think they might understand each other. lol
February 11th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Just an amendment, I got it wrong, I meant that he can speak Russian as he coaches the Russian squad not that he is Russian.
February 12th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Hmmmm I realized that when you refered to him as “Dutchman”..
February 13th, 2009 at 2:42 am
That’s because he is from Holland.